Stockbridge 2, Whitchurch Utd 1

A CLOSE fought Hampshire Senior Cup - Round 2 game between local rivals Stockbridge and Whitchurch on Saturday was tipped in favour of the hosts by two Charlie Spencer goals.

Stocks were missing the suspended Pete Swinney, plus defenders Tristan Burton and Sam Coleman (both away), but made up for that with the return of Dave Allen, whose calming influence and well-timed tackles were just what the home side needed.

Some slack United defending allowed Stockbridge to take a fifth minute lead. Ryan Bore surged away down the right, and crossed for Charlie Spencer to tuck the ball away.

Sean Maye went close to equalising five minutes later, but saw his header go the wrong side of the post.

United had plenty of possession in the first half, but Stockbridge created the better chances, and hit the crossbar. They missed a gilt-edged opportunity when Spencer contrived to miss an open goal, again after good work by Bore.

At the start of the second half Stocks were keen to play it tight. But their game plan went out of the window when Chris Iddles broke down the Whitchurch right. His superb cross was headed powerfully into the bottom corner by Stockbridge defender Paul Barnard for a spectacular own-goal.

As in the first half play was very much end to end, but with fifteen minutes to go Spencer was again left unmarked to convert Lewis Bain's left-wing cross, and that's the way it stayed until the final whistle.

A minute's silence was held before Saturday's match as a mark of respect for Stockbridge committee man Jon Holman, who died the previous Tuesday night after a short illness.

Jon, 66, had worked tirelessly in the cause of local football over the last few years, not least in administering the highly-successful Testway Youth League. There, he was instrumental in bringing football to hundreds of youngsters in north-east Hampshire.

His Jon junior is a current first-team squad member at Stockbridge.

Jon, a dedicated Saints fan, will be sadly missed by all his family and friends - including those at the Chronicle.

US Portsmouth 1 Whitchurch Utd 3

United bounced back to form in welcome style in Tuesday night's Wessex Division 2 fixture. Their late arrival had no detrimental effect, the visitors buzzing from the word go, and within five minutes Bryn Keech ran at the defence and slotted the opener under the US keeper.

The servicemen passed the ball around nicely, but couldn't break through a solid defence in which Jason Dinham was outstanding.

Just after half-time Keech made it 2-nil from an acute angle, and a third goal from Sean Maye shortly afterwards settled the issue.

Late on Whitchurch boss Jim Macey rang the changes, resting a few tired legs, but although the Portsmouth side pulled a goal back the result was never in doubt.